Picture for illustrative purposes only. DMW

Salary reduction emerged as the top reason Filipinos in the UAE rushed to apply for the one-time $200 (Dh730) financial assistance on the first day of registration, with the application portal reaching full capacity in just 20 minutes. According to the Migrant Workers Office Dubai and Northern Emirates (MWO Dubai), the portal opened at 8am on Tuesday (April 28) and closed at 8:20am after 822 applications were received. Officials said 41.7 percent of applicants cited salary reduction as the reason for seeking assistance, making it the most common cause among affected Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Other applicants reported unpaid leave, job termination, delayed salaries, no-work-no-pay arrangements, and forced resignation due to the ongoing regional crisis affecting businesses across the UAE. The Philippine government, through its Department of Migrant Workers, launched the one-time aid to support land-based OFWs whose employment has been disrupted by the crisis. MWO Dubai Labor Attaché John Rio Bautista said applications are being handled quickly. “We have three days to evaluate the application,” Bautista told Expat Media. He also reminded workers to avoid submitting too many documents. “Only one clear proof of employment and one proof of work disruption” is needed, he said. Among the first-day applicants, 64 percent were women and 36 percent were men. Skilled workers made up 98 percent of the total, while domestic workers accounted for 1.6 percent. Most applicants, or 93.6 percent, were based in Dubai or had Dubai-issued visas. The next online registration will open on Friday (May 1) at 8am, with the unique registration link to be posted on the MWO Dubai Facebook page. According to MWO Dubai, online application forms will open twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays starting at 8am on April 28. Each form will accommodate 820 applications per day. The application link will close at 11:59pm on the same day or once the daily limit is reached, whichever comes first. Successful applicants will be notified by email and can claim the financial aid through Al Ansari Exchange after receiving an SMS confirmation.

Who can apply?

The assistance is open to land-based OFWs currently working in Dubai and the Northern Emirates whose employment has been affected by the crisis. This includes workers who: • Lost their jobs • Are under no-work-no-pay arrangements • Experienced salary reductions Eligible applicants must hold employment visas issued in Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah or Umm Al Quwain. Filipinos whose visas were issued in other emirates but are working in these areas may still qualify if they can provide proof of their actual work location. For OFWs based in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, applications will be handled separately through the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Migrant Workers Office Abu Dhabi.

Requirements for application

Applicants must prepare the following: • Accomplished Request for Assistance (financial assistance) form. Download the form • Copy of passport bio page • Proof of overseas employment such as employment contract, visa, Emirates ID, or labour card They must also submit one proof of income loss or work disruption, such as: • Certification from employer or principal • Payslips showing reduced salary • Job termination notice • Visa cancellation, if applicable • Notarized affidavit or personal statement supported by certification from MWO or a Filipino community leader. Download the form

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online through the form now available on the official MWO Dubai website at mwodubai.org every Tuesday and Friday. Workers are advised to complete the form carefully and upload only clear and necessary documents to avoid delays in processing. For inquiries, MWO Dubai can be reached through atm.mwodubai@dmw.gov.ph.

Your questions answered

How much financial assistance will I receive? Each qualified OFW will receive a one-time payment of $200 or around Dh730. Can I apply if I only had a salary reduction? Yes. Workers whose salaries were reduced due to the crisis are eligible. What if I am on no-work-no-pay status? You may still apply as long as you can provide proof of work disruption. I work in Dubai but my visa was issued elsewhere. Can I still apply? Yes, but you must show proof that your actual work location is within MWO Dubai’s jurisdiction. I am based in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain. Where do I apply? You should contact the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi or MWO Abu Dhabi through mwo_abudhabi@dmw.gov.ph Do I need to visit the MWO office? No. All applications are processed online only. How will I receive the money? Applicants will be notified by email regarding the status of their application. Approved applicants can collect the cash from any Al Ansari Exchange branch after receiving an SMS notification. Bring your valid Emirates ID or passport. ICA/CAM/Expat Media
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